Oil price rise could ease budget gap woes
ANCHORAGE (AP) -- The price of Alaska North Slope crude has been hovering at a 10-year high in recent days. But experts caution against counting on oil prices to close the state's fiscal gap.

Agents target hunters trespassing on railroad tracks
FAIRBANKS (AP) -- While thousands of Alaska hunters are prowling the country for a moose, a handful of agents for the Alaska Railroad are patrolling the woods looking for hunters who illegally use the railroad tracks.

Skeleton found near Eagle
EAGLE (AP) -- Alaska State Troopers are investigating the discovery of a skeleton near the town of Eagle.

States prepare for flu vaccine delay
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Health departments across the West say they will limit flu shots to high-risk people and take other steps to cope with an expected shortage of the vaccine this winter.

Trident Seafoods facing criminal charges
UNALASKA (AP) -- Trident Seafoods faces seven criminal charges for the late reporting of 595,000 pounds of Pacific cod, according to a complaint filed by state Fish and Wildlife Protection troopers in Unalaska court.

August primary draws record low turnout
JUNEAU (AP) -- Voter turnout in last month's primary election was just over 17 percent, the lowest since records have been kept, according to certified results released Tuesday by the Division of Elections.

Unprecedented year for urban bear sightings
PHOENIX (AP) -- Bears have left Arizona's mountains and headed for the cities, drinking from swimming pools and hanging from trees in the booming suburbs that are pressing closer to the animals' homes.

Forest Service offers less Tongass timber for sale
JUNEAU (AP) -- About 80 million board feet of Tongass National Forest timber has been offered for sale this fiscal year, about 35 million less than last year and only 40 percent of the amount approved in the Tongass Land Management Plan, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Flow of oil from Alpine field delayed
FAIRBANKS (AP) -- Oil will not begin flowing from the giant Alpine oil field until at least October, more than a month behind previous estimates, Phillips Alaska Inc. officials said.

Rural schools work harder to recruit teachers in tight market
ANCHORAGE (AP) -- When administrators with the Lower Kuskokwim School District in Southwest Alaska try to woo prospective teachers, they emphasize the intangibles -- the spare beauty of the landscape and the opportunity to live among people of another culture.

Fuel tank inspection deadline looms
ANCHORAGE (AP) -- A deadline looms for some Alaska gas stations to comply with new state regulations requiring third-party inspections of underground fuel tanks every three years.

Court case affecting Microsoft political donations
SEATTLE -- The chief executive officer of Microsoft Corp. says the federal antitrust case against his company has affected the way Microsoft approaches politics, including contributions to candidates.

Oil price rise could ease budget gap woes
ANCHORAGE (AP) -- The price of Alaska North Slope crude has been hovering at a 10-year high in recent days. But experts caution against counting on oil prices to close the state's fiscal gap.

Around the Peninsula
55 Drive course offered
Choir meets tonight at United MethodistSmall business seminar planned
United Way to kick off fund-raiserPhillips President to speak at fund-raiserMS group to meetCourse on healing to meet at churchEnvironmental seminar to include trip to glacier

Around the Peninsula
Hospice offers grief support for bereaved mothersUnited Way to kick off fund-raiserPhillips president to speak at fund-raiserPicnic planned for Habitat projectBridges board of directors to meetFirst aid, CPR class offeredOutdoor club to hike to Juneau Creek FallsSeminar for referees scheduledLibrary offers genealogy research resourcesLand parcels available

Community Calendar
The Community Calendar lists events and meetings of nonprofit organizations. Deadline for submissions is noon the preceding day. To have your event listed, or to change any information, call 283-7551 or fax 283-3299.

Community Calendar
The Community Calendar lists events and meetings of nonprofit organizations. Deadline for submissions is noon the preceding day. To have your event listed, or to change any information, call 283-7551 or fax 283-3299.

Agents target hunters trespassing on railroad tracks
FAIRBANKS (AP) -- While thousands of Alaska hunters are prowling the country for a moose, a handful of agents for the Alaska Railroad are patrolling the woods looking for hunters who illegally use the railroad tracks.

What's Happening
Best BetsEvents and Exhibits
EntertainmentDown the RoadAnchorage EventsFilms

Ceramic fever
Above a table filled with half-finished projects is a sign that reads: "Warning, ceramic fever, very contagious, no known cure."

NASCAR, drivers work for safety
Two weeks ago, the racing community faced what it considered a life-or-death problem the New Hampshire International Speedway. Drivers complained of safety concerns; NASCAR said little; and raceway officials insisted nothing was wrong.

Bridge jumper rescued from river
A 43-year-old Sterling woman who jumped off the Sterling Highway bridge into the Kenai River in Soldotna Monday was recovering at Central Peninsula General Hospital Tuesday after being rescued by a fisher and the owner of a nearby lodge.

River center set to open
A host of dignitaries, including Ambassador James Pipkin, are expected in Soldotna today for the dedication of the new $2 million Kenai River Center at Mile 1.5 Funny River Road.

Cara Heads-Lane senses something spectacular is coming.
It's not the opening ceremonies of the 2000 Summer Olympics, which she will march in as a member of the United States women's weightlifting team. It's not a faraway reunion with her parents and sister, who will fly from Southern California to Sydney. It's not even stepping onto the lifting platform at the Sydney Convention Centre in Darling Harbour and competing in the women's 75kg class on Oct. 20, because Heads-Lane has visualized that act so thoroughly already that the experience might not seem entirely new.

Sydney games kick off with home team losing twice
SYDNEY, Australia -- The U.S. men's soccer team won't march in the opening ceremony at the Summer Games. Instead, it will settle for taking a small step forward in its Olympics debut -- which is more than the hosts can say.

Coach Knight bids IU adieu
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Bob Knight bid farewell to Indiana University, saluting cheering students and urging them to forget about the freshman who played a part in the coach's firing.

Unprecedented year for urban bear sightings
PHOENIX (AP) -- Bears have left Arizona's mountains and headed for the cities, drinking from swimming pools and hanging from trees in the booming suburbs that are pressing closer to the animals' homes.